CHARLOTTETOWN - The Island Storm will open its largest training camp in team history on Dec. 9 with 22 players participating.

Training camp will consist of afternoon and evening practice slots, two intrasquad games and two exhibition games.

Coach Joe Salerno says the Storm has found some big pieces after a long, busy, off-season.

“I am pleased with the players we have signed and are bringing into camp.”

After playing with the Storm from 2011-2014, and again last season, Al Stewart is one of the veterans that will be on the camp roster.

Another returning player will be 2015-16 postseason scoring leader Terry Thomas, who averaged 11.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 40 games for the Storm last season.

Two-time NBL all-star, Nick Okorie, rejoins the Storm after averaging 20 points per game during the team’s 2014 NBL Finals run and better than 16 points per game during the 2014-15 season.

Another member of the Storm’s 2014 NBL Finals run, Shawn Vanzant, will be at camp as well. He played in two NCAA Championship games while a member of the Butler Bulldogs and also spent time in the NBA Development League with the Springfield Armour.

Tirrell Baines returns to the Storm and has been working on his game and improving his body over the offseason, with hopes of avoiding injuries that sidelined him at times last year. He was still able to average 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in over 25 minutes per game.

A new face on P.E.I. is 6-foot-7 forward James Siakam, brother of Toronto Raptors rookie, Pascal Siakam. Siakam was a teammate of former Storm player Steve Tchiengang, on the Vanderbilt Commodores men’s basketball team.

Former NCAA Division I star, Leon Gibson out of the University of Houston Cougars, joins training camp after thriving in the Los Angeles Drew League over the summer.

Salerno thinks this might be one of the most physical groups the Storm has had in recent years and likes the mix of veteran players and young talent.

“Obviously we were very pleased to re-sign the three guys from last year’s team. Terry, Al, and Tirrell all had good seasons for us last year, and when you add in other former players such as Nick Okorie and Shawn Vanzant, it makes for a great nucleus of veteran players. All five of those guys have been here before, they wanted to play here, and they want to win here.”

Salerno plans to take the season one day at a time.

"It’s everyone’s goal to get back to our winning ways and be back on top of the Atlantic division, competing once again for an NBL Championship.”

Storm fans are reminded that single game tickets and flex passes are now avaialble for purchase at the box office or by calling 902-629-6625. Single game tickets can also be purchased by clicking here.